In the Queue for the Last Night of the Wimbledon Dog Races

(All photos by the author)

Saturday night was the last time the Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium opened its doors to the general public. Stood there for the past 89 years, the track is set to be demolished to make room for the new AFC Wimbledon stadium, with surrounding land sold off to a housing developer.

Some have condemned the closure, both because the stadium was the last bastion of dog racing in the capital, and because the flats being built around the new AFC Wimbledon ground represent yet more gentrification bulldozing through traditional working class London. However, one group is definitely happy: animal rights campaigners. Tom Sheppard, Head of Public Affairs for the League Against Cruel Sports, told Metro: "We are delighted to see […] the return of real sport, rather than a cruel sport, to Wimbledon."

We went along on Saturday night to walk down the massive queue and ask punters what they'll miss about the place.

VICE: What are you going to miss about the dog track?
Joe: The dogs and all those grimy-looking people. Like those drunk, smelly, dirty guys (pointing further down the line).
Friend: Just like you!
Joe: Well it's a good thing it's closing then, isn't it.

What are you guys going to miss about the track?
Tom: The whole experience of it all – the dogs and the banger racing.
Big Dave: Yeah, it's a fucking shame. Turning it into a football ground, ain't they?
Tom: Yeah, mate – for the better though, ain't it?
Dave: Yeah man, but you seen how busy it is tonight? The queue is bloody massive.

Are you going to miss anything in particular about this place?
Lez: Just coming here. We've been coming here for so many years and it's something we look forward to.

How long have you been coming here?
We used to come and watch the trials every Wednesday morning, have a bacon sarny and that. It breaks my heart. Apart from the tennis, this is Wimbledon for the real people. There isn't any racing in London now and I really hope I get in today.

What are you going to miss Troy?
Troy: The dogs, beer and having a fun night out,

Fair enough. Cheers!

What does this place mean to you?
Michael: We've been going here a long, long time. Ever since I was a child. We've been going with mates every Friday, Saturday night. You know what I mean – all get together have a beer. It was just fun times.

And it's all done now.
Yeah, they're knocking it all down to make new houses. They could've spent some money on it – a lick of paint, you know. It's all about the money, otherwise they wouldn't build houses on here. And this is the last one in London. The nearest one we can go to now is Crayford [in Kent], or Romford, or even Hove. And now I don't know whether to bother – it's even on the TV a lot now.

What are you guys going to miss?
Nathan: The memories, seeing the dog with a silly name cross the line first. I'll proper miss that.
Sam: I came here when I was 18, an Aussie from overseas. Been here for eight years and it was the first place I went out when I moved here. So yeah, even for me it's a shame.
Fred: I think I miss the family spirit here – always friendly. I got chucked out last time; I don't know why? Probably having to much fun, if anything! 
Steven: I'll miss the atmosphere. There's a really good community vibe here. They're passionate about dog racing. It's a good night out, good food, good beers.
Phil: I'll miss the dogs.

Cheers.

@Jake_Photo